Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage hails the three month 'Experiments & Objects' exhibition a tremendous success

June 19th, 2011 - Abu Dhabi, UAE: The popular Hassan Sharif exhibition held at Qasr Al Hosn, Cultural Quarter Hall, in the heart of Abu Dhabi has concluded after a successful three months showcasing his finest work produced over the past five decades.

The exhibition, entitled 'Experiments & Objects', has attracted many visitors and welcomed people from across the region interested in seeing Sharif's works dating back from 1979 and up until the present day.

Organised by The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH), the exhibition was a tribute to the lifelong work of Sharif, a seminal artist who is deeply associated with the modern history and culture of the United Arab Emirates and a major figure in the artistic community here.

His Excellency Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Advisor for Culture and Heritage in the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage said:

"We have been extremely pleased with the tremendous interest and overall success of the exhibition which has showcased one of the UAE's greatest artists."

"This was the first major monographic exhibition for one of the country's oldest contemporary Emirati artists and ADACH plays a vital role in bringing such an important exhibition to the region."

Sharif, who did not have much public visibility in the UAE but often represented the Emirates abroad, has developed a strong body of work over the years. The exhibition started with his early experiments, including objects and a series of conceptual drawings and systemic works.

Dr Sami el-Masri, Deputy Director General for Arts, Culture & Heritage and Director of Strategic Planning & Development, said:

"ADACH's portfolio of work and practice ensures that the talent we nurture is regionally recognized and our objective continues to be focused on ensuring that we are helping to develop, encourage and promote local artists and art practices."

"This exhibition has not only been made easily accessible and relevant, but it has also shown that there is a huge desire within our community and across the region to participate in and contribute to the arts scene."

Sharif was one of the artists shown at the ADACH Visual Arts Platform in Venice 2009 and further research on his practice culminated in 'Hassan Sharif, Works 1973-2011', a monographic publication about the artist, which was launched at the Venice Biennale earlier this month."

The book charts the artistic development of Sharif and was unveiled at an event attended by leading figures from the UAE and international arts communities during the Vernissage. ADACH and German art publishers Hatje Cantz have co-produced this unique monographic book, which features work that has never before been recorded as a monographic publication.

Sharif's work is typified by its experimental nature and his use of mixed media, using cotton, textile, metal, chord and plastic in order to create a variety of objects. The centrality of the process of "making" is clear in his art practice - it is a precise, painstaking process, often involving repetitive actions and motions in the knotting, folding, wrapping and tying of various materials.

Sharif's works are also in the permanent collection of Mathaf  - Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha and in art museums in Sharjah and Holland. He has authored four books: New Art, Sharp Tools for Making Art, Concept of Art and Al Khamsa.

The 'Experiments & Objects, 1979-2011' exhibition was the first of its kind and is a reflection of ADACH's core mission to recognize and celebrate the UAE's long experience in the contemporary arts.

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© Press Release 2011